PARAMETRIC HURRICANE WAVE PREDICTION MODEL

A spectral wave model based on a numerical solution of the radiative transfer equation is used to create a synthetic data base on wave conditions within hurricanes. The results indicate that both the velocity of forward movement and maximum wind velocity within the storm play an important role in determining both the magnitude of the waves generated and the spatial distribution of these waves. An equivalent fetch for hurriane wave generation that is a function of these two parameters is proposed. This concept, combined with the standard JONSWAP fetch-limited growth relationships, provides a simple means for estimating wave conditions within hurricanes.